We are a specialist safeguarding company working pan Dorset (including Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch) and the south west. Our team have been designing and delivering high quality safeguarding training since 2015. With a background in policing, child protection and the Prevent agenda we are passionate about safeguarding. We have built trusted professional relationships with Dorset Council, schools, alternative provision organisations and the voluntary and private sector.

Our safeguarding services are recognised as covering the statutory requirement for safeguarding training. Our courses are based on real life experience and decision making.

We believe learning should be interactive allowing honest exchange of experience and problems. We will always endeavour to ensure that participants in training are fully engaged and achieve learning outcomes.

About us

Vanessa Ball is the lead trainer and owner of Safeguarding Dorset. She brings over 30 years of policing experience, with the majority of her career dedicated to safeguarding and child protection.

Following her retirement from Dorset Police in 2015, Vanessa immediately began delivering Prevent agenda awareness training to local authorities, schools, and the private sector. This work quickly expanded into the design and delivery of comprehensive safeguarding training to the education sector.

For the past eight years, Vanessa has served as the primary training contractor for Dorset Council within the schools safeguarding team. She is a trusted, well respected training provider who ensures that professionals are equipped with the knowledge and skills required to protect children and vulnerable adults effectively.

Vanessa has served as a governor at two Dorset schools for several years. Not only is this personally rewarding but it keeps her connected to the challenges facing education today.

Vanessa Ball — Lead Trainer & Owner, Safeguarding Dorset